halton local plan duty to co-operate statement...3.5 the government signed a devolution agreement...

Halton Local Plan

Duty to Co-operate Statement

July 2019

DELIVERY AND ALLOCATIONS LOCAL PLAN DUTY TO CO-OPERATE STATEMENT

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Version Revisions Auth Check Publication Stage (web) AM/TG

03/01/18 ac 03/01/18

Proposed Submission (web)

KAB 26/06/19


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Halton Borough Council

Delivery and Allocations Local Plan Duty to Cooperate Statement

July 2019

Operational Director Planning and Transport Strategy Halton Borough Council Municipal Building Kingsway Widnes WA8 7QF


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Contents

Contents

Contents ....................................................................................................................................................................... 1

1. Introduction to the Duty to Cooperate ...................................................................................................... 1

2. Purpose of the Duty to Cooperate Statement ........................................................................................... 2

3. The Halton Context .......................................................................................................................................... 3

4. Co-operation with other Organisations ...................................................................................................... 5

5. Halton’s Cross Boundary Issues ..................................................................................................................... 6

Table A : Strategic Priorities .................................................................................................................................... 7

6. Joint Working Arrangements ........................................................................................................................ 18

Appendix A: Duty to Co-operate Bodies ........................................................................................................... 19


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1. Introduction to the Duty to Cooperate 1.1 In November 2011 the Localism Act came into effect, but different parts of the Act come

into effect at different times through Regulations. The Localism Act through clause 110 established the ‘duty to cooperate’.

1.2 It applies to all local planning authorities, national park authorities and county councils in

England and also to a number of other public bodies. The ‘duty’:

• relates to sustainable development or use of land that would have a significant impact on at least two local planning areas or on a planning matter that falls within the remit of a county council;

• requires that councils set out planning policies to address such issues;

• requires councils and public bodies to ‘engage constructively, actively and on an on-going basis’ in order to develop strategic policies; and

• requires councils to consider joint approaches to plan making. 1.3 This means that any local planning authorities and other prescribed bodies in relation to

planning for sustainable development need to cooperate when preparing their Local Plans and other plans where there are strategic matters that need to be addressed.

1.4 The scope of this Duty to Cooperate includes local planning authorities and a range of other

prescribed bodies that are identified in Appendix A. 1.5 A strategic matter is anything relating to sustainable development or use of land, including

infrastructure, which has or would have significant impact on at least two local planning areas. It requires that councils set out policies to address such issues proactively and to the mutual benefit of the authorities.

1.6 Guidance on the Duty to Cooperate is provided in paragraphs 24 to 27 of the National

Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). 1.7 Paragraph 24 clearly states that ‘public bodies have a duty to cooperate on planning issues that

cross administrative boundaries, particularly those that relate to strategic priorities’. These strategic priorities are set out in paragraph 20 of the NPPF as follows:

• homes and jobs needed in an area;

• the provision of retail, leisure and other commercial development;

• the provision of infrastructure for transport, telecommunications, waste management, water supply, wastewater, flood risk and costal change management, and the provision of minerals and energy (including heat);

• community facilities (such as health, education and cultural infrastructure); and

• conservation and enhancement of the natural, built and historic environment, including landscapes and green infrastructure, and planning measures to address climate change mitigation and adaptation.

1.8 This Duty to Cooperate covers the publication of the Halton Delivery and Allocation Local

Plan (incorporating Partial Review of Core Strategy). It sets out how Halton Borough Council has responded to the legal duty to cooperate in preparing the Local Plan. It details how the Council has worked with other Councils, public bodies and organisations to identify the spatial strategy for the Local Plan.


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2. Purpose of the Duty to Cooperate Statement 2.1 As a statutory requirement, the Duty to Cooperate will form one of the legal tests to be

considered by the Inspector at the Halton Delivery and Allocations Local Plan’s Examination, while compliance with the NPPF’s requirements for positive preparation and effectiveness form part of the soundness test. This statement provides the evidence to demonstrate that Halton Borough Council has met the legal and soundness requirements relating to cooperation in preparing its Local Plan.

2.2 As the Duty is not just a one-off obligation but an on-going responsibility this draft Statement

will be kept under review and amended as circumstances change. 2.3 In preparing its Local Plan, Halton Council has to demonstrate compliance with the Duty

including:

• Consultation with key bodies: Halton Council has engaged and cooperated with the prescribed organisations and authorities set out in the legislation and regulations and in compliance with the Regulations, planning guidance and its adopted Statement of Community Involvement, and other relevant bodies;

• Collaboration and cooperation in plan making: Halton continues to work collaboratively with a wide range of partners, to produce strategies and develop evidence which addresses key planning issues across the sub-region; and

• Consideration of cross boundary impacts: Halton continues to be engaged proactively with neighbouring authorities in considering and addressing strategic and site-specific cross-boundary impacts arising from both Halton’s plans, and those plans of our neighbours, notably Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Warrington and Cheshire West and Chester.

2.4 The duty to co-operate is not a duty to agree. However, a local authority should demonstrate

that it has made every effort to secure the necessary cooperation on these matters. This duty is an ongoing process and does not stop with the adoption of the Local Plan.


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3. The Halton Context 3.1 Halton is a single tier unitary authority. It is located in the north west of England on the either

side of the River Mersey, and covers the towns of Runcorn and Widnes. Figure 1: Halton in context

3.2 Halton has boundaries with a number of local authorities, three in the Liverpool City Region –

Knowsley, Liverpool and St Helens, and two other authorities – Cheshire West and Chester and Warrington.

3.3 The Halton Local Plan Core Strategy was adopted in April 2013. It sets out the spatial vision

for the Borough through to 2028. Halton is currently in the process of preparing a Delivery and Allocations Local Plan, which will update the Core Strategy where appropriate and provide more detailed polices and site allocations, it will cover the period to 2037.

3.4 The Liverpool City Region local authorities have a long history of collaboration on spatial

planning and economic issues and have well-established partnership arrangements. Examples of past joint planning work include joint research and policy development for the Regional Spatial Strategy for the North West (RSS) through the Merseyside Policy Unit and the Merseyside Partnership

3.5 The Government signed a Devolution Agreement with Halton, the five Merseyside Authorities

and the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership that devolves specific powers to the new office of Mayor. These powers include defined strategic planning functions, including the production of a single Strategic Framework for the City Region. This has ensured that full engagement with partner authorities has been undertaken to support and influence the delivery of the Spatial Framework.


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4. Co-operation with other Organisations

4.1 Section 33A of the Act and Regulation 4 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning)

(England) Regulations 2012 and Planning Guidance define specific bodies and categories of

bodies with which the Council must co-operate in preparing its Local Plan. The bodies which

the Council considers to be relevant in the context of the Halton Local Plan are set out

below:

Liverpool City Council (as neighbouring planning and highway authority)

Knowsley Borough Council (as neighbouring planning and highway authority)

St Helens Council (as planning and highway authority)

Wirral Council (as planning and highway authority)

Sefton Council (as planning and highway authority)

West Lancashire Borough Council (as neighbouring planning authority)

Cheshire West and Chester (as neighbouring planning and transport authority)

Warrington BC (as neighbouring planning and transport authority

The Environment Agency

Historic England

Natural England

Civil Aviation Authority

Homes England

NHS Clinical Commissioning Group

The Office of Rail Regulation

Merseytravel (as integrated transport authority)

The Marine Management Organisation

Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership

Liverpool City Region Local Nature Partnership

4.2 Halton has also worked closely with a wide range of other organisations and partners

including the Environment Agency, Historic England, the Homes England, the Ministry of

Defence, Sport England, Natural England, the clinical commissioning groups operating in

Halton and Merseytravel in preparing its Local Plan. It has consulted the bodies listed here as

appropriate, at each formal stage of the Local Plan preparation. It has fully recorded any

comments made, and offered to meet with the organisation where required in order to

discuss how any out-standing matters can be overcome.

Liverpool City Region Statement of Cooperation 4.3 Halton Council’s Executive Board adopted the Liverpool City Region (LCR) Statement of Co-

operation (SoC) on Town Planning matters at its meeting on 20 October 2016. The Board was advised that the Localism Act 2011 placed a legal duty on Local Planning Authorities to engage constructively, actively and on an on-going basis to maximise the effectiveness of Local Plan preparation and strategic cross-boundary land use planning matters.

4.4 The LCR SoC provides the evidence that this statutory co-operation had been undertaken.

The SoC has been drafted by all six LCR authorities plus West Lancashire District Council and approved by the Combined Authority’s Housing and Spatial Planning Board.

4.5 The report and SoC can be found here (Agenda Item 52):

http://moderngov.halton.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=292&MId=5803&Ver=4


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5. Halton’s Cross Boundary Issues 5.1 Paragraph 24 of the National Planning Policy Framework states that public bodies have a duty

to cooperate on planning issues that cross administrative boundaries, particularly those relating to the strategic priorities set out in paragraph 20 of the Framework. These relate to:

• The homes and jobs needed in the area;

• The provision of retail, leisure and other commercial development;

• The provision of infrastructure for transport, telecommunications, waste management, water supply, wastewater, flood risk and coastal change management, and the provision of minerals and energy (including heat);

• The provision of health, security, community and cultural infrastructure and other local facilities;

• Climate change mitigation and adaptation, conservation and enhancement of the natural and historic environment, including landscape.

5.2 As a result of working with the prescribed organisations and others throughout the Local Plan

process, and having regard to the NPPF, Halton has identified a number of strategic matters as having cross boundary impacts that need to be addressed through the Local Plan. These strategic, cross boundary issues for Halton are set out below. Waste is an additional strategic issue. The six Liverpool City Region authorities continue to cooperate on waste planning matters, following the adoption the Joint Waste Local Plan for the Liverpool City Region by the LCR LAs in 2013.

Framework Strategic

Priorities

Halton Strategic Issue

1. Homes and jobs

a) Housing Provision

b) Employment land provision

c) Cross boundary impacts arising from proposed allocations

d) Provision for Travellers

2. Retail, leisure and

commercial

a) Retail Provision and Sub-regional hierarchy of Centres.

3. Infrastructure

a) The impacts of the Local Plan on transport and other infrastructure

(e.g. utilities) in neighbouring authorities and the rest of Liverpool

City Region.

b) Liverpool John Lennon Airport

4. Health, community and

cultural infrastructure

a) The impacts of the Local Plan on strategic health provision, and

community and cultural infrastructure in neighbouring authorities and

the rest of Liverpool City Region.

5. Climate change and

natural and historic

environment

a) The impacts of the Local Plan on the low carbon infrastructure in

neighbouring authorities and the rest of Liverpool City Region

b) The impacts of the Local Plan on biodiversity networks neighbouring

authorities and the rest of Liverpool City Region

c) The impacts of the Halton Local Plan and other Local Plans or Core

Strategies of neighbouring, Liverpool City Region and other authorities on

the designated nature sites of international importance in the Liverpool

City Region and elsewhere.

d) The impacts of the Local Plan on flood risk in neighbouring authorities

and the rest of Liverpool City Region

e) The safeguarding of mineral resources in neighbouring authorities and

the rest of Liverpool City Region.


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The following sub-sections paragraphs provide an overview of each of these strategic priorities.

More information about each strategic issue is provided in Table A.

Table A : Strategic Priorities

Framework

Strategic Priority 1. Homes and Jobs

Strategic Issue a) Housing Provision

What is the nature of the

strategic issue?

The provision of land to meet Halton’s housing needs. Green Belt release is

required to meet this requirement and to ensure flexibility in delivery. Whilst

Halton is a relatively self-contained housing market area (as confirmed by the

2014 SHMA) there are housing market linkages with adjacent districts,

particularly Warrington and St Helens. The amount of housing provided in

Halton could therefore have an impact on adjacent districts. Given these

housing market linkages, unmet needs arising in Halton could in theory be

accommodated in adjacent districts, and vice versa.

Who are the relevant

duty to cooperate bodies

or other key partners?

• Liverpool City Region authorities

• Warrington Borough Council

• Cheshire West and Chester Council

How has this co-

operation been carried

out?

Halton has co-operated with neighbouring local authorities in deriving a

housing requirement for the Borough. When it became apparent in 2013 that

Halton would be unable to meet its own housing and employment needs

without Green Belt release, the Council discussed with neighbouring local

authorities, whether they could accommodate some of Halton’s needs in their

area. All advised that they were unable to do so.

In addition, Halton’s neighbouring authorities have been consulted at each

stage of preparation of the Local Plan, and have attended ‘Housing Market

Partnership’ meetings alongside local housing associations and developers. No

neighbouring district has so far objected to the proposed housing or

employment land requirements in the Local Plan.

No neighbouring district has asked Halton to meet any overspill housing or

employment needs arising from their district. Knowsley and St Helens have

both proposed releasing large areas of Green Belt land in their areas to meet

their own housing and employment needs, St Helens is also accommodate

employment needs for Warrington..

Outcomes

Halton’s housing requirement has been derived to meet Halton’s needs only.

This is appropriate given Halton’s largely self-contained housing market area.

No neighbouring authority is able to meet any of Halton’s housing needs, and

Halton has not been requested to meet any other District’s unmet needs. In any

event, Halton would not be able to meet any neighbouring authority’s housing

needs without releasing even more Green Belt than is currently proposed.

No neighbouring authority has so far objected to Halton’s proposed Local Plan

housing requirement.

Impact on neighbouring

authorities and duty to

co-operate bodies

The housing requirement is intended to meet Halton’s needs only. Therefore

the impact on neighbouring authorities’ housing markets should be limited.


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Strategic Issue b) Employment Land Provision


strategic issue?

The provision of land to meet Halton’s employment requirement and create

opportunities to deliver new jobs. Green Belt release is required to meet this

requirement and to ensure flexibility in delivery.

There are strong commuter pattern connections with adjacent districts. The

amount of employment land provided in Halton could have a limited impact on

adjacent districts. Unmet needs arising in Halton could in theory be

accommodated in adjacent districts.







How has this co-


out?

The 2010 joint Employment Land and Premises Study was produced for Sefton,

West Lancashire, Knowsley, and Halton. It has also formed the basis for these

authorities’ Local Plans. Halton, Knowsley and West Lancashire’s Plans have

subsequently been found sound on this basis.

No neighbouring district has asked Halton to meet any overspill employment

needs arising from their district. Knowsley and St Helens have proposed

releasing large areas of Green Belt land in their areas to meet their own

employment needs, and St Helens are proposing to meet an unmet

employment need of Warrington

Outcomes

Halton’s employment requirement has been derived to meet Halton’s needs

only.

No neighbouring authority is able to meet any of Halton’s employment needs,

and Halton has not been asked to meet any other District’s unmet needs. In any

event, Halton would not be able to meet any neighbouring authority’s

employment needs without releasing even more Green Belt than is currently

proposed.

No neighbouring authority has so far objected to Halton’s proposed Local Plan

employment requirement.



co-operate bodies

The employment requirement is intended to meet Halton’s needs only.

Therefore the impact on neighbouring authorities’ employment markets should

be limited.

Strategic Issue c) Cross Boundary Impacts Arising from Proposed Allocations


strategic issue? The Local Plan proposes to release a number of large Green Belt sites in order

to meet local housing and employment needs. Some of these sites are adjacent

or close to the boundary with neighbouring districts, and have the potential for

cross-boundary impacts.








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How has this co-


out?

The review of Green Belt boundaries in Halton has been undertaken using a

common methodology. Halton has formally consulted each neighbouring

authority on the emerging Local Plan including attendance at sub-regional

workshops and other officer level meetings. The other duty to cooperate bodies

relevant to this issue have also been formally consulted at each stage.

Outcomes

Discussions have been ongoing with Neighbouring authorities over the extent

and impacts of potential Green Belt release.



co-operate bodies

Some limited cross boundary highways impacts.

Potential Green Belt impacts on neighbouring LAs by virtue of narrowing the

Green Belt gap between settlements.

Strategic Issue d) Provision for Travellers


strategic issue?

The level of need and provision for sites to accommodate Gypsy and Travellers

can only appropriately be assessed on a sub-regional basis.






• Cheshire East

How has this co-


out?

The Cheshire Partnership has utilised ORS Ltd to provide a ‘Gypsy and Traveller

Accommodation Assessment’ to provide an up to date evidence base on needs

Outcomes

All the participating authorities have agreed that the identified need for each

authority will be met within each authority, and that the study provides a good

basis for an appropriate network for traveller pitches, particularly transit

pitches, across the study area. Halton has identified both permanent and transit

pitches in line with the findings of the sub-regional study in the Local Plan.



co-operate bodies

Other local authorities are also seeking to identify Gypsy and Traveller sites in

line with the study recommendations.

Framework

Strategic Priority

2. Retail, Leisure and other Commercial

Development Strategic Issue a) Retail Provision and Sub-regional Hierarchy of Centres


strategic issue?

Halton is reliant on centres in other authorities (particularly Liverpool and

Warrington) for access to comparison retail and, to a lesser extent, convenience

retail opportunities. There are two town centres identified in Halton - Widnes

and Runcorn.







• Merseytravel

How has this co-


out?

Halton has consulted with neighbouring authorities and transport authorities

regarding the retail policy and the hierarchy of centres in its Local Plan through

formal consultation at each stage of the Local Plan preparation.

Outcomes

The Local Plan does not propose any new retail allocations. Halton has long

established links with neighbouring authorities and Liverpool City Centre in

particular serves the whole of Merseyside as the sub-regional centre. This


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relationship will continue over the duration of the Plan period.



co-operate bodies

Halton residents will continue to rely on neighbouring authorities and the larger

regional cities in the North West for a proportion of its retail and leisure

provision.

Framework

Strategic Priority

3. Infrastructure

Strategic Issue

b) The impacts of the Local Plan on transport and other infrastructure

(e.g. utilities) in neighbouring authorities and the rest of Liverpool City

Region


strategic issue?

The Council has consulted other infrastructure providers while preparing the

Local Plan. In addition to the duty to co-operate bodies this has included

providers such as gas and electricity providers, transport providers, the Mobile

Operators Association, and has engaged closely with United Utilities including

through officer level meetings and on-going liaison. The consultation has also

included the Infrastructure Delivery Plan. Consultation with the Environment

Agency (and United Utilities and the Council’s flood and coastal erosion risk

management officers) is considered separately (see strategic issue E5 below.

The Liverpool City Region authorities and Warrington BC and CWAC and each

other formally and informally (including officer level meetings) on their

emerging Local Plans.







How has this co-


out?

The Council has worked with Merseytravel and neighbouring authorities during

the preparation of the Local Plan. For Merseytravel and Network Rail this

consultation has included the Infrastructure Delivery Plan.

The Council has worked with other LCR local authorities and Merseytravel on

the early stages of the preparing our third Local Transport Plan (LTP3). This

provides a long term strategy and delivery programme of transport investment

up to 2024. Following the establishment of the Combined Authority further

work was undertaken to align the respective LTP’s with an overarching

Transport Plan for Growth.

The Merseyside planning authorities fed their evidence and assumptions of

housing and employment growth into the LTP preparation process, to make

sure that investment decisions affecting the transport network in the LTP

period (up to 2024) took account of the growth and development aspirations of

the Merseyside districts in their emerging Local Plans.


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Outcomes

The Council’s approach towards planning for strategic transport including

infrastructure is set out in Local Plan policies.

Stronger working arrangements have been developed with key utility providers,

such as United Utilities, Scottish Power and the National Grid. This has, and will

continue, to make the utility providers and Halton Council aware of the

processes each has to go through and to enable respective plans and strategies

to align. Each Utility Provider has provided information to Halton that has

supported the level of growth proposed in the Local Plan, taking into account

growth proposals of other local authorities in the Liverpool City Region.

No objections to the Local Plan have been received from neighbouring

authorities, the Environment Agency or United Utilities (or other infrastructure

providers) in relation to these matters.

The Council’s approach towards planning and paying for infrastructure

provision is set out in Local Plan policies.



co-operate bodies

No significant impacts on neighbouring authorities or those elsewhere in the

City Region and beyond.

Strategic Issue c) Liverpool John Lennon Airport


strategic issue?

The Liverpool City Region Growth Plan identifies improved access to the Airport

as a strategic project.





• Liverpool John Lennon Airport

How has this co-


out?

There is on-going liaison between the duty to co-operate bodies on this and

wider planning issues, including those relating to the Growth Plan.

This project is still developing, and co-operation is on-going.

Outcomes

This project is still developing, and outcomes achieved to date relate to project

delivery ‘milestones’ rather than the preparation of the Local Plan.



co-operate bodies

This project is still developing, and so there have been relatively few direct

positive economic and other impacts, or mitigation of any adverse impacts on

other authorities to date.

Framework

Strategic Priority

4. Health, Community and Cultural Infrastructure

Strategic Issue

a) The impacts of the Local Plan on strategic health provision, and

community and cultural infrastructure in neighbouring authorities and

the rest of Liverpool City Region


strategic issue?

It was important to establish any impacts of the Plan on NHS general hospitals

serving Halton; and also on other strategic security, community and cultural

infrastructure in the City Region such as the major cultural offer in Liverpool

e.g. through increased pressure of usage.







• Halton CCG


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How has this co-


out?

Neighbouring local authorities, Halton Clinical Commissioning Group and NHS

Commissioning Groups have been consulted at all stages of preparation of the

Local Plan, including officer level meetings. Public health officers have also been

involved. The NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups have also been involved in

the infrastructure delivery plan process.

Outcomes

Stronger working arrangements have been developed with Clinic

Commissioning Groups and public health officers.


authorities, Clinical Commissioning Group or Primary Care Trusts or other key

health or other community and cultural infrastructure providers in relation to

these matters.

The Council’s approach towards planning and paying for infrastructure

provision is set out in the Local Plan. The Plan’s approach to planning for health

in line with corporate and Health and Wellbeing Board priorities.



co-operate bodies

No significant impacts on neighbouring authorities or those elsewhere in the

City Region and beyond.

Framework

Strategic Priority

5. Climate Change and Natural and Historic

Environment Strategic Issue

a) The impacts of the Local Plan on the low carbon infrastructure in

neighbouring authorities and the rest of Liverpool City Region


strategic issue?

There is also some potential for combined heat and power / District Heating.




• Liverpool City Region local authorities

• West Lancashire Borough Council


• Ministry of Defence

• Civil Aviation Authority

• English Heritage

• Liverpool City Region LEP

How has this co-


out?

Halton has worked with the Liverpool City Region authorities, West Lancashire

and Warrington Councils on a Renewable Energy Capacity Study for this area.

This study has informed the policy approach in the Local Plan.

The Liverpool City Region authorities have agreed a Sustainable Energy Action

Plan (2012) which identifies key low carbon energy actions to be delivered

across the City Region.

Outcomes


authorities, the Ministry of Defence, the Civil Aviation Authority or English

Heritage in relation to these matters.



co-operate bodies

Proposed Local Plan policies on renewable energy do not limit renewable

energy related developments in Halton where appropriate in the context of the

Borough. Therefore, neighbouring authorities are not impacted by these

proposals.


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Strategic Issue

b) The impacts of the Local Plan on biodiversity networks neighbouring

authorities and the rest of Liverpool City Region


strategic issue?

Biodiversity, ecology, habitats and species and associated landforms in Halton

do not change at the borough boundary, but continue across neighbouring

authorities, the Liverpool City Region and beyond. This includes designated

nature sites of international importance of the Mersey Estuary, Dee Estuary,

and the Sefton Coast.







• Nature Connected, the Local Nature Partnership for the Liverpool City

Region

How has this co-


out?

All 6 Liverpool City Region local authorities, together and through the auspices

of Merseyside Environmental Advisory Service (MEAS) which they jointly fund,

are co-operating to prepare an ecological network which draws together

evidence, and indicates strategic priorities and opportunities for habitat

creation and enhancement across the sub-region. This includes identification of

a Nature Improvement Area (NIA) with individual NIA Focus Areas, some of

which are cross-boundary. This is included in the Local Plan.

The 6 local authorities, together with MEAS, agreed a common policy

framework for nature and geodiversity conservation and enhancement.

Formal consultation on the draft ecological framework saw responses from

bodies including Natural England, the Environment Agency, the North West

Development Agency, Peel Holdings and the Mersey Forest. Lancashire County

Council were also consulted on the emerging ecological framework, including

officer meetings.

Halton is a partner in Nature Connected, the Local Nature Partnership.

More generally, Halton has been a member of the Mersey Forest partnership

for many years, with 6 other local authorities, the Environment Agency and

Natural England, and most recently contributed to the preparation of the

Mersey Forest Plan 2014.

Outcomes

Local Plan policies set out the Council’s approach to development affecting

designated nature and geodiversity sites, priority habitats and species.



co-operate bodies

Halton wishes to continue working jointly with neighbouring authorities, MEAS

and other LCR local authorities and other partners on the ecological framework

and common policy framework for nature and geodiversity conservation and

enhancement. Halton’s designated nature and geodiversity sites, priority

habitats and species will continue to contribute positively to the Liverpool City

Region. Local Plan policies reflect Halton Council’s commitment to working with

partners to enhance this contribution.

Strategic Issue

c) The impacts of the Halton’s Delivery and Allocations Local Plan and

other Local Plans or Core Strategies of neighbouring, Liverpool City

Region and other authorities on the designated nature sites of

international importance


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strategic issue?

The Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA) of the adopted Halton Core

Strategy, St Helens Core Strategy, and West Lancashire Local Plan and emerging

the Liverpool, Knowsley, Wirral Local Plans, and that of the Sefton Local Plan –

identify both the potential for recreation pressure to adversely affect the

integrity of the internationally important nature sites and mitigation measures.

They also recognise the need for development across the Liverpool City Region

and beyond to avoid adverse impacts on internationally nature sites across the

City Region and beyond. The above adopted and emerging Local Plans set out a

commitment to joint working to help mitigate these potential impacts.






• Natural England

• Natural Resources Wales

• Marine Management Organisation

How has this co-


out?

The local Liverpool City Region local authorities and West Lancashire agreed to

use the same consultants (Scott Wilson, who became first URS then AECOM) to

provide specialist Habitats Regulations Assessment advice. These consultants

also carried out the HRA of the joint Merseyside and Halton Waste Local Plan.

Since 2013 the City Region authorities, with the exception of St Helens who

were further advanced in the preparation of its Local Plan, have, through the

auspices of Merseyside Environmental Advisory Service, jointly commissioned

AECOM to carry out HRA work.

Following on from Natural England comments on the Proposed Publication of

the DALP in Jan 2018, Halton Council have appointed AVIAN to undertaker a

Non Breeding Bird Study, to assess the potential disturbance of the proposed

allocated sites on non-breeding birds in relation to the Mersey Estuary and SPA.

The City Region authorities and West Lancashire have for a number of years

held officer level meetings specific to HRA, including the need to make sure

there are no adverse effects international nature sites as a result of

development in their areas, notably due to increased recreational pressures on

the Sefton Coast. These meetings are on-going.

In part reflecting this, the emerging and adopted Local Plans for the Liverpool

City Region local authorities and West Lancashire include a commitment to

joint working with each other, Natural England and other relevant partners to

maintain the integrity of international nature sites, including those outside their

areas such as the Sefton Coast. This is line with the recommendations of HRAs

of the respective plans. In future this will require a more formal framework or

strategy for monitoring and managing recreational access across the City

Region, to take a strategic approach to managing access to European sites.

Natural England is commissioning work on recreational disturbance to the City

Region internationally important nature sites to inform any future strategy.


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Outcomes

Stronger working arrangements have been developed between Halton, Natural

England and Natural Resources Wales.

The Liverpool City Region local authorities, together with Merseyside

Environmental Advisory Service, West Lancashire Borough Council, Natural

England and Natural Resources Wales are committed to continued co-operation

and partnership working to protect the integrity of internationally important

nature sites across the City Region and beyond, and notably against recreation

pressure on the Sefton Coast. This commitment is reflected in on-going officer

level meetings and joint working, and in their adopted or emerging and Local

Plans and their accompanying Habitats Regulations Assessments.



co-operate bodies

The Liverpool City Region authorities and Merseyside Environmental Advisory

Service, West Lancashire Borough Council, Natural England and Natural

Resources Wales are co-operating to make sure that there are no adverse

impacts on the internationally important nature sites in their areas and beyond.

Strategic Issue

d) The impacts of the Local Plan on flood risk in neighbouring authorities

and the rest of Liverpool City Region


strategic issue?

The River Mersey presents a source of tidal flooding.

Fluvial flood risk arises from Ditton Brook (Widnes) and Keckwick Brook,

(Runcorn). The mechanics of flooding in these catchments is well understood

and mitigation is in place.

The main strategic issues are making sure that development in other districts

does not increase ‘downstream’ river flood risk in Hatlon, and that

development close to the borough boundary in Halton, Liverpool, Knowsley or

St Helens, CWAC or Warrington does not increase surface water flood risk

locally.




• Neighbouring local authorities and those in the rest of the City Region

• Other north west and north Wales local authorities

• Environment Agency

• The Canal and River Trust

• United Utilities

How has this co-


out?

Halton has undertaken Strategic Flood Risk Assessments as part of the

production of the 2013 Core Strategy. And this has been further developed into

a new up to date Flood Risk Assessment Level 2 to assess the proposed DALP

allocations.

These SFRAs closely involved the Environment Agency, and both the

Environment Agency and United Utilities had the opportunity for informal

comment on the draft SFRA L2.

As surface water is the most significant sources of flood risk in Halton, the

Surface Water Management Plan informed the SFRA and through this plan

making, policy development and the site selection process.


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Outcomes

Stronger working arrangements have been developed between the Council

(notably its Local Lead Flood Authority LLFA), the Environment Agency and

United Utilities regarding flood risk management and infrastructure, in

operational terms and in terms of the Local Plan. This has, and will continue to

make these organisations and Halton Council aware of the processes each has

to go through and enable respective plans and strategies to align. United

Utilities and the Environment Agency have provided information to Halton that

has supported the level of growth proposed in the Local Plan, taking into

account growth proposals of other local authorities in the Liverpool City Region.



co-operate bodies

Given the wording of relevant policies it is considered that there are no impacts

on neighbouring authorities and duty to co-operate bodies.

Strategic Issue

e) The safeguarding of mineral resources in neighbouring authorities and

the rest of Liverpool City Region


strategic issue?

Halton has no active aggregate or industrial mineral extraction sites or any

known resources considered likely to be commercially viable during the period

covered by the plan, and so has no defined mineral safeguarding areas.

Halton has a number of active materials’ recycling facilities that supply recycled

and substitute materials to the construction market.

There is no current energy mineral extraction within Halton. However, coal

measures are present in neighbouring authorities and Halton is within the area

identified as having potential for the presence of potentially viable shale oil and

gas resources.

Current licences for onshore oil and gas exploration cover parts of Halton.

Licences are for oil and gas and do not distinguish between conventional and

unconventional extraction. They are awarded nationally in blocks and are not

subject to influence or control by the Local Plan.






• Greater Manchester authorities


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How has this co-


out?

The 6 Liverpool City Region authorities have co-operated in establishing a joint

evidence base for minerals planning in the City Region, which has supported

the development of a minerals policy framework.

Merseyside Environmental Advisory Service (MEAS), on behalf of the 6

Liverpool City Region local authorities contracted Greater Manchester

Geological Unit (GMGU), part of the Urban Vision Partnership, to establish this

City Region wide minerals evidence.

Halton maintains its commitment to the Managed Aggregate Supply System

through continued representation in the North West Aggregates Working Party.

Together with the other authorities of Merseyside, it is within an aggregate

apportionment sub-region with Warrington and the Greater Manchester

authorities and, is working with them to deliver a joint Local Aggregate

Assessment, in accordance with paragraph145 of the Framework. This is a

principal component of the evidence base to inform Halton’s future role in

facilitating the appropriate supply of aggregate minerals.

Outcomes

Local Plan policy on Minerals sets out the Council's approach to minerals

extraction and to safeguarding from inappropriate development, safeguarded

in the interests of facilitating the continuing supply of minerals.



co-operate bodies

The Council is aware of no outstanding concerns from other authorities to the

Local Plan’s approach to minerals extraction and safeguarding the key

infrastructure for the movement of minerals.


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6. Joint Working Arrangements

Cross Boundary Issue

Interested Duty to Cooperate Body

Evidence of Cooperation

Housing St Helens Council, Warrington Borough Council Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

District Planning Officers and Planning Policy Managers meetings, Housing and Spatial Planning Board meetings, Mid Mersey Housing Group meetings

Economy and Employment

Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Wirral and Sefton Councils

LCR Joint Employment Land and Property Study, LCR Overview Study, SHELMA

Green Belt Cheshire West and Chester, Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Warrington Councils

Consultation on methodology, District Planning Officers and Planning Policy Managers meetings, Consultation meetings with Warrington, Knowsley and St Helens.

Connectivity Mersey Travel, Halton Transport District Planning Officers and Planning Policy Managers meetings,

Liverpool John Lennon Airport

Knowsley, Liverpool District Planning Officers and Planning Policy Managers meetings,

Green Infrastructure

Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Warrington,

District Planning Officers and Planning Policy Managers meetings, LCR Green Infrastructure Strategy, LCR Ecological Framework

Flood Risk Cheshire West and Chester, Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Warrington Councils

Environment Agency consultations, District Planning Officers and Planning Policy Managers meetings,

Retail District Planning Officers and Planning Policy Managers meetings,

Infrastructure Cheshire West and Chester, Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Warrington Councils

District Planning Officers and Planning Policy Managers meetings,

Health and Well-being

Public Health Team Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) NHS (Halton Hospital)

District Planning Officers and Planning Policy Managers meetings,


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Appendix A: Duty to Co-operate Bodies Prescribed Body In Act and Regulations1

Relevant Body Relevant Body Outside of Halton

Relevant Issues

Neighbouring authorities (as appropriate)

All LCR LPAs As appropriate: Cheshire West and Chester Lancashire CC Warrington Wigan

Various (as appropriate): Housing Economic Development Transport

Environment Agency Environment Agency Environment Agency Utilities Infrastructure Environment

Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England (Historic England)

Historic England (North West)

Historic England (North West)

Environment

Natural England Natural England (North West)

Natural England (North West)

Environment

The Mayor for London N/a N/a

Civil Aviation Authority Civil Aviation Authority Civil Aviation Authority Transport

Homes England Homes England Homes England Housing Economic Development

Clinical Commissioning Group (replacing CCGs)

Halton and St Helens CCGs

All CCGs operating in the LCR

Community Infrastructure

NHS England (replacing CCGs)

NHS England NHS England Community Infrastructure

Office of Rail and Road Office of Rail and Road

Office of Rail and Road Transport

Transport for London N/a N/a

Integrated Transport Authority

Merseytravel Cheshire ITA Transport

Highway Authority Highways England Department for Transport

Neighbouring Authorities Highways England

Transport

Marine Management Organisation



Transport

Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP)

Liverpool City Region LEP

Cheshire & Warrington LEP

Housing Economic Development Tourism

Local Nature Partnership (LNP)

Nature Connected (Merseyside’s Local Nature partnership)

Cheshire Local Nature Partnership

Utilities Infrastructure Environment

1 Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) Regulations (2012)